October 2022

Refreshed Navigator leads way for 2022 in Lincoln's all-SUV lineup


Photos by Paul Borden

By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(October 16, 2022) With updated exterior features, a plush roomy interior filled with user-friendly tech features, and a muscular, twin-turbocharged V6 to propel its hefty weight, the refreshed Lincoln Navigator sits at the top of the company’s all-SUV portfolio for 2022. Available in three trim levels and in short or long wheelbase form, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator offers buyers an appealing choice for those shopping in the full-size luxury SUV segment.

More people than ever committing to $1,000+ car payment



(October 14, 2022) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — A growing share of Americans are committing to monthly new car payments topping $1,000 as interest rates and prices continue to rise, according to the car shopping experts at Edmunds. As reported in Edmunds' Q3 finance trends release, 14.3% of consumers who financed a new vehicle purchase in Q3 2022 committed to a monthly payment of $1,000 or more — the highest level that Edmunds has on record — compared to 12.2% in Q2 2022 and 8.3% in Q3 2021.

Ford looking to future with all-electric F-150 Lightning



By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(October 13, 2022) Ford has had the top-selling pickup on the market for over four decades with its F-Series, and now it has taken a big step to ensure it is in position to keep that title with the introduction of its all-electric Lightning F150. Not the first EV truck on the market — that honor would go to the R1T from Rivian, a startup company founded in 2009 and headquartered in California — the 2022 Ford Lightning has the power of the F-150 reputation behind it and comes with a more appealing price tag than the handful of its present competitors.

Survey finds drivers using partial automation treat it as full automation



(October 12, 2022) ARLINGTON, Va. — Drivers who use partial automation on a regular basis often treat their vehicles as fully self-driving despite widespread warnings and numerous high-profile crash reports, a new study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows.

Rising demand and the cost of oil reflected in higher pump prices



(October 11, 2022) WASHINGTON, D.C. — OPEC+ recent announcement that the group of oil-producing nations would slash output by 2 million barrels per day led to the price of oil creeping above $90 a barrel for the first time in several weeks. A higher cost for oil usually means more expensive gasoline. Meanwhile, domestic demand increased as more drivers fueled up last week. The national average pump price for a gallon of gas rose 12 cents over the past week to hit $3.91.

VNC Automotive — Like it or loathe it, auto subscription services here to stay



(October 11, 2022) As car manufacturers increasingly turn to the controversial concept of subscription services, vehicle connectivity expert VNC Automotive questions whether consumers are as against the idea of subscribing to vehicle features as many believe. Consumers are no stranger to the subscription model, now firmly a part of daily life for many, with millions of people regularly paying to use services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and Spotify, as well as subscribing to deliveries of groceries.

2023 Cadillac XT5 — Generally fine, but nothing really stands out from crowd



By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(October 9, 2022) In recent years, luxury crossovers have gotten wildly popular, with the segment featuring excellent vehicles like the Mercedes GLE, BMW X3, Audi Q5, Lincoln and others. As the luxury marquee for General Motors, Cadillac is aiming for a large slice of the pie with its two-row, five-passenger XT5 that slots above the subcompact XT4 and below the larger three-row XT6 and Escalade.

2022 Kia Niro PHEV EX — Easing pain at the pump



By Jim Prueter
Motorway America.com

(October 6, 2022) The Kia Niro PHEV isn’t especially engaging to drive, its looks are on the generic side, it’s classified as a sport utility vehicle but to be honest it falls quite short of sport and utility. It also isn’t a massively interesting or beguiling styled vehicle. What it is, however, is every bit a clever piece of automotive engineering that’s loaded with advanced technology presented to those who want the benefits of it without necessarily wanting  to engage in it.

Auto loan interest rates climb to highest level since 2019



(October 5, 2022) SANTA MONICA, Calif.  — Consumers are digging deeper into their pockets to finance new vehicles, according to the car shopping experts at Edmunds. "High prices and rising interest rates are dealing consumers a one-two punch by catapulting monthly payments into a new realm," said Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds’ executive director of insights.

Tight supply and more demand cause pump prices to rise



(October 4, 2022) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The national average pump price for a gallon of gas maintained its recent surge, rising seven cents over the past week to hit $3.79. Tight supply and increased demand as more drivers fuel up are the main culprits.